It’s the final week of the 2010 regular season and there are division match-ups everywhere you look! Who needs to win and who looks prime for a loss? Let’s get the Opening Drive going!
(12-3) Atlanta Falcons
This game could not be more of a mismatch… but it still holds the fate of the NFC’s all-important number one seed. If the Falcons lay an egg, then the Bears or Saints can take the top spot. I don’t see the makings of an upset here at all. The Falcons are coming off a tough loss and will be looking to rebound against a team with all sorts of problems. There shouldn’t be any drama at the top today.
(11-4) Pittsburgh Steelers at(5-10) Cleveland Browns
Now this game has the trappings of an upset to me. Cleveland has been competitive all year, getting huge wins over the Patriots and Saints in back-to-back weeks. They haven’t been able to mount enough points lately, which could prove troublesome against one of the league’s top defenses, which will have Troy Polamalu back at safety. Still, Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense haven’t exactly lit it up as of late. Keep an eye on this one. It will be physical. (Don’t you hate when someone says that? I mean, it’s FOOTBALL! Of course it’s going to be physical!)
(9-6) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at(11-4) New Orleans Saints
While getting to ten wins would be huge for Raheem Morris’ Bucs, there’s just not enough on the offensive front for Tampa to make this anything more than slightly interesting. I see the Saints jumping out early and doing their part in the fight for the NFC South.
(4-11) Cincinnati Bengals at(11-4) Baltimore Ravens
So… if Baltimore wins and Pittsburgh loses, Baltimore gets the number two seed and a bye. While they’re coming off two straight wins, the Bengals have likely run out of steam. If the Ravens can’t pull off the win, they don’t deserve the week off. Moving on!
(6-9) Tennessee Titans at(9-6) Indianapolis Colts
Flexed to the afternoon slot, Peyton Manning welcomes in the Titans for a must-win. As rough and tumble as these games are, I just can’t see Manning stumbling against a team he sees twice a year. Next!
(5-10) Dallas Cowboys at(10-5) Philadelphia Eagles
Pfft. I could easily see a Cowboys win today since Kevin Kolb is starting at quarterback for Philly… but I don’t want one. I still hate the Cowboys.
(9-6) New York Giants at(6-9) Washington Redskins
It would be hilarious if the Giants lost today. It would just continue the utter crap-pile that has been Big Blue’s late season play. I doubt it will happen, but a loss would put Tom Coughlin squarely on the hot seat.
(8-7) Jacksonville Jaguars at(5-10) Houston Texans
No David Garrard or Maurice Jones-Drew? Then I can’t see the Jaguars getting this win. Can’t buy it.
(7-8) St. Louis Rams at(6-9) Seattle Seahawks
That’s right; the Sunday nighter is the fight for the NFC West title between two pretty mediocre squads. Honestly, I don’t care if a 7-9 team gets into the playoffs. You know why? Because it’s in the rules! The NFC West needs to be represented and these two teams are at the top of the dung heap. The Rams aren’t stellar on the road and the Seahawks are a much different team at home. This should actually be an awesome game to watch… it Charlie Whitehurst wasn’t starting at QB for the Seahawks. Not pretty.
Keywords: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Joe Anello, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, NFL, Opening Drive, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins
